What a topsy-turvy world I found myself in. I had left my job, moved across the country, and – totally unplanned – started a romantic relationship. It should have been an expansive time of new possibilities. But increasingly I felt unsettled, directionless, even floundering in life … read more (Monitor, audio available)
Author Archives: Karyn Mandan
Ever-present Fatherhood and the Lifting of Grief
Not Powerless!
“What do you think about this?” my brother asked me, referring to recent news of sexual harassment committed in the entertainment and media spheres. We were on our weekly walk around a nearby reservoir, catching up on each other’s lives. … read more (Monitor, audio available)
Laat God je koers bepalen
Dutch translation of “Let God direct your course.” Original English article posted September 5, 2016.
Alles in mijn nieuwe baan ging mis. Als medewerker in een start-up bedrijf voelde ik mij niet geschikt voor het werk, geïntimideerd door een erg zelfverzekerde baas en ondervond ik problemen met lastige collega’s. Behalve deze problemen zag het er niet naar uit dat het bedrijf zijn doelstellingen zou halen, wat nog meer druk legde op een slechte situatie. Ik zag als enige optie het schip maar te verlaten. … read more (De Christian Science Heraut)
Let God Direct Your Course
Everything in my new job was going wrong. An employee in a start-up company, I felt ill-suited to the work, intimidated by a highly assertive boss, and challenged by difficult coworkers. Besides these problems, it didn’t look as if the company would meet its goals, adding further pressure to a bad situation. I figured the only option was to jump ship. … read more (Sentinel, audio available)
Dutch translation posted November 22, 2016.
Your True Self is Never Lost
Wenn Umarmen wehtut
German translation of “When It Hurts To Hug.” Original English article posted February 2, 2005.
„Und vergessen Sie nicht, die Kinder zur guten Nacht zu umarmen“, hatte die Schulleiterin an meinem ersten Arbeitstag zu mir gesagt. Das klang nach einer sehr guten Idee. Aber binnen ein bis zwei Tagen stellte ich fest, wie schwer es war, dies in die Praxis umzusetzen. … read more (Der Herold der Christlichen Wissenschaft)
Homeward Unbound
It’s dark when I arrive at the pension where I’ll stay while I find a place to live. I speak in halting German to the woman behind the desk. She gives me my room key, and I lug my two overstuffed suitcases up three flights of narrow dimly lit stairs. I call my mom. We connect over 6,000 miles of crackling wire. “Everything is fine,” I say. Then I crawl into bed and erupt into sobs. … read more (Journal)
A Divine Moment at the DMV
Mention the Department of Motor Vehicles in my home state, and most people groan. Renewing your driver’s license or registering your car can take hours of waiting in lines. While my recent trip to the DMV was no exception, I discovered something even more satisfying than getting through the line. … read more (Monitor)
When It Hurts To Hug
“Be sure to hug the children goodnight!” the headmistress told me on my first day of work. Sounded like a wonderful idea. But within a day or two I learned how hard it would be to put into practice. … read more (Sentinel online)
German translation posted February 29, 2012.
Spirit-Sense 